Chapter 2 - The Physical Environment

Question 1

Why is climate such a strong determinant of the geographic distribution of species?

Answer 1

Primary Producers

Question 2

Weather

Answer 2

Current and short-term

Question 3

Climate

Answer 3

Long-term trend

Question 4

Conduction

Answer 4

(s) -> (s)

Question 5

Convection

Answer 5

(g) <-> (l)

Question 6

Heat Capacity

Answer 6

Amount of heat applied to induce a change, energy to raise temperature

Question 7

Coral Bleaching

Answer 7

Starvation, symbiotic algae leave due to temperature stress

Question 8

Evapotranspiration

Answer 8

Water leaves plants and releases heat

Question 9

What changes the color of the Earth’s surface?

Answer 9

Infrastructure, Deforestation, Algae Bloom, and Droughts

Question 10

The Keeling Curve

Answer 10

A daily record of atmospheric CO2 measured in Hawaii (away from CO2 development)

Question 11

Season of High CO2

Answer 11

Summer - Height of Plant Respiration

Question 12

Generalist

Answer 12

Species with a broader range of habitability, invasive, increase when climate changes

Question 13

If surface temperature depends on solar radiation, why do temperatures vary across the same latitude?

Answer 13

Ocean currents, distribution of land/water (heat capacity)

Question 14

Cloud Formation

Answer 14

As warm air rises, it expands and cools. As the air cools, water vapor condenses to form clouds (Warm air is less dense than cold air)

Question 15

Hadley Cells

Answer 15

Air rising at the equator and air sinking at 30 degrees latitude

Question 16

Ferrell Cells

Answer 16

Mid-latitude atmospheric circulation cell

Question 17

Coriolis Effect

Answer 17

“Form of Drag”, Affects winds and currents by deflecting

Question 18

Winds and currents in the NH deflect __.

Answer 18

Right

Question 19

Winds the currents in the SH deflect __.

Answer 19

Left

Question 20

Thermohaline Circulation

Answer 20

Currents are driven by ocean density which are affected by both temperature and salinity

Question 21

How does the climate in Malibu differ from Calabasas?

Answer 21

Proximity to oceans, mountains, and vegetation

Question 22

Air temperatures on land show greater seasonal variation than __.

Answer 22

Air temperatures over the oceans

Question 23

What side of a mountain receives more evaporation?

Answer 23

The side where the wind comes from

Question 24

Cold Air Drainage

Answer 24

Cold, dense air from high elevations moves downslope and pools in valleys, resulting in very cold and sub-freezing valley bottoms

Question 25

Why is Ireland so much warmer than Newfoundland?

Answer 25

Gulf Stream (Thermohaline Circulation)

Question 26

Albedo

Answer 26

The fraction of light that a surface reflects

Question 27

Increasing albedo ____.

Answer 27

Reduces temperature

Question 28

Deforestation _____ the land’s albedo.

Answer 28

Increases

Question 29

Deforestation __ evapotranspiration.

Answer 29

Decreases